South Burlington resident, Michele S. Gatto, President of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel (ALIC), was host to the Association s 148th Annual Meeting at Château à lan Resort outside of Atlanta, Georgia May 22-25, 2010.
The Annual Meeting theme: Charting the Future Amidst Challenge & Change: New Rules, New Regulation and New Risks has been an integral component in Gatto s leadership at the ALIC.
Michele has proven to be accomplished in her ability to reach goals and ensure the organization s stability and depth, comments Karen Shaff, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Principal Financial Group and Past President of ALIC. She has substantially preserved and enhanced the hallmarks of the ALIC: professionalism, legal scholarship, and fellowship. The ALIC was founded in 1913 to promote these principles as the bar association for lawyers in the life insurance industry.
A donation was presented at the annual meeting slated for the Center for Women at St. Michael s College Gatto s chosen organization to receive the donation in recognition of her service as President, presented by the ALIC.
One of Michele s priorities has been to assure the future of the Association through taking a very proactive approach to growing the membership. Under her leadership a record 15% increase has resulted a strong value testament, states Cynthia Shoss, Co-Chair of ALIC Membership Committee and Partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf.
Gatto is Executive Vice President - Corporate Services & Chief Legal Officer at National Life Group in Montpelier, Vermont. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), as well as the Board of Trustees of St. Michael s College. She was recently elected to the Board of Trustees of Vermont Law School.
In 2007, Gatto received the In-House Leaders in the Law Award, co-sponsored by New England In-House and Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, designed to honor the accomplishments of corporate counsel who demonstrate excellence in legal, business, and community endeavors. Gatto has authored numerous articles and has delivered a number of presentations at professional seminars and national conferences. She is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court - District of Vermont, the State of Vermont and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Through her outstanding leadership, ALIC President Michele Gatto has successfully completed a number of important achievements for the association, including the development of a compelling 2010 legal seminar for life insurance industry lawyers, excellent budgeting capabilities for the 2010 annual meeting, and identification of a theme, topics and speakers for the meeting that reflect the demanding legislative and regulatory developments confronting the industry, explains Carl Wilkerson, Vice President & Chief Counsel, Securities & Litigation, American Council of Life Insurers. The ALIC is stronger thanks to Michele.
Source: National Life Group. 5.26.2010 www.nationallife.com
National Life Group®, a Fortune 1000 company, serves more than 850,000 customers. The Group is made up of its flagship company, National Life Insurance Company, founded in Montpelier, Vermont in 1848; Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas, and Sentinel Investments, Equity Services, Inc. and National Retirement Plan Advisors, all located in Montpelier.
National Life Group® is a trade name representing various affiliates that offer a variety of financial service products. National Life Insurance Company is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Dallas, TX is licensed to do business in all states except New York. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser. Sentinel Investments® is the unifying brand name for Sentinel Financial Services Company, Member FINRA/SIPC, Sentinel Asset Management, Inc., and Sentinel Administrative Services, Inc. Each company of the group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations.
###